Business Women on Martha’s Vineyard

Business women on Martha’s Vineyard come from all different industries and today, we’re showcasing just a few of the women that make this Island the inclusive, creative, and successful place it is.

​Knowing that 33 percent of businesses in Massachusetts are owned by women, it’s safe to say that overall, women-owned businesses everywhere are developing more and more daily. Whether it’s a full-time job or a “side hustle,” we’re seeing more of it and we’re here to support it. 

“Part-time entrepreneurship is often called “sidepreneurship.” The rate of growth in the number of sidepreneurs is far greater than for all ventures. This reflects the proliferation of ways in which adults can earn money on the side and increasing ease in finding these opportunities.”  - A Changing World: The Shifting Gig Economy In 2019,” Ben Walker, Forbes, May 10, 2019
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Realizing the economic potential of women-owned businesses (because it is an industry that nationwide generates a revenue of $1.9 trillion), policies, practices, and attitudes need to shift for us to succeed. The women we’re recognizing below are all movers and shakers on Island, working on their goals and dreams, individually but at the same time collectively, collaborating for a better Martha’s Vineyard. 

Photo: Guinevere Cramer

 Guinevere Cramer, social media manager for Point B Realty
“This Island is incredible but it's the people that truly make it special. Through thick and thin, so many of us work together and support each other - whether it's to help a non-profit, a fellow business or even one of our schools’ PTOs, our sense of community seems limitless. I am so lucky to be a part of the magic.”

Photo: Althea Freeman

Althea Freeman, local artist who creates designs on hand carved linoleum blocks and owner of Althea Designs
“I love that the community and the natural beauty of the Island nurtures and inspires creative minds.”

Photo: Annabelle Hunton by Jeanna Shepard

Annabelle Hunton, owner of the Nobnocket Boutique Inn
“I love that Martha’s Vineyard has this rich heritage of embracing creativity, diversity and local ownership, all of which makes it incredibly rewarding to develop an Island business. Connections and personal relationships are so key to succeeding here, and that in turn opens up so many opportunities to make an impact by getting directly involved in the community."

Photo: Susie Nedley

Susie Nedley, founder Bee Well MV and clinical herbalist 
“Bee Well’s relationship with the Island is so beautiful in the way that I get to connect people back to nature as their healer. A lot of wild medicinal herbs grow in sidewalks here, never mind the fields and forests that are lush with native traditionally used herbs. The plants are our allies and are very much part of our thriving Island community and I am grateful to be a connector.”

Photo: Teri Pirozzi

Teri Pirozzi, co-founder of Experience MV and Resortman
“What makes doing business on the Island so unique is that the business community is so supportive – everyone looks to network and help each other grow their businesses – everyone seems to champion everyone else’s success – truly a “rising tide lifts all boats” business community!”

Photo: Nevette Previd by Elizabeth Cecil

Nevette Previd, founder of Farm Field Sea and the Martha’s Vineyard Oyster Festival 
“Martha’s Vineyard is a magical campus for out-of-the-box experiences. At each turn there is a new story to tell -  sea+soil farmers excited to share generations of hands-on knowledge, and chefs seeking new ways to prepare local ingredients, and hungry guests craving to expand their food adventures beyond their local farmers market. We are living the dream here on the Vineyard, I really love sharing it with others.”

Photo: Erin Ready

Erin Ready, executive director of the Edgartown Board of Trade; and co-owner of Edgartown Meat and Fish Market 
“I really enjoy working in a small community, where 'Island life' is something you immediately have in common with others. That being said, I'm often surprised and intrigued to learn of individual serendipitous journeys to the Island and Interesting experiences from past lives. It is always incredible to me what Islanders and Wash-A-Shores alike bring to the table when you sit down in a group. While this is not unique to our Island, it is amplified because we are in a smaller community that happens to be an off-the-beaten-path destination.”

Photo: CJ Rivard

CJ Rivard, MV Camp Meeting Association and WILD – Women in Learning & Leadership Development
“One thing I enjoy about working on Martha’s Vineyard, all times of the year, is that people are genuinely happy and excited to be here. It makes it easy to love what I do!”  

Photo: India Rose

India Rose, owner of We Hustle & Thrive Consulting, specializes in creating 12 month revenue streams in seasonal economies, strategic event activations, individual goal setting and time management workshops and diversity and inclusion business planning and human resource efforts.
“What I love most about working with the small business community on the Island, is finding creative ways to create 12-month revenue streams. As a seasonal economy, we can all relate to the seasonal struggles; but those struggles also bring us together in a lot of productive ways and I absolutely love it.”
 
Next time you visit the Island, make sure to scout out some of these and other women- owned businesses and support them!